Tripping the Light Fantastic

Tripping the Light Fantastic By Wilford D. Porter, U. A. C. Extension Editor THE absent are always in the wrong," says an old proverb known in many languages; and closely allied to that one is the French proverb, "Tout comprendre c'est tout pardoner" (to understand all is to forgive all). Although the Indians perhaps had never heard of either, still they observed a custom which indicates they were cognizant of the truths expressed in the two statements. Therefore, they would call together all the tribesmen and together they would talk over the affairs pertaining to their future welfare, whether in times of war or in times of peace. In their pipe-smoking ritual they believed that the smoke from the pipe would serve as a medium through which their spirits could be united with the "Great Spirit," and he could hear their supplica- tions and give them supernatural assistance, especially if the ritual were followed by a tribal dance. Statesmen, rebels, recruiting officers, monarchs and peace- makers have, since the beginning of history, known that a unity of opinion can best be brought about by calling those concerned to- gether where crowd psychology, whether consciously or uncon- sciously, can be used by the leaders to carry out their purposes. Strong antagonists can often be' reconciled and mutual friend- ship result if they can but be brought into close proximity with each other. Communities exist because individuals have been brought to- gether either consciously or unconsciously for the satisfying of com- mon interests and needs. It is, therefore, not surprising to hear of rural communities of Utah having their slumbering civic pride awakened by common interests, and in this case, by an interest that appeals to the feet instead of the heart, the head, or through the proverbial path to a man's heart, through the stomach. So interested was Miss Mary Wood Hinman. founder of the Hinman School of Dancing, New York, in the community life lived in Utah that she offered her services for six weeks gratis, to en- deavor to introduce folk dancing among the rural Utahns. Some indication of Miss Hinman's gift to the State might be disclosed by the fact that she was offered and did receive $100 a day for teaching the same dances to the movie stars in Hollywood. California. Miss Hinman has been in almost every civilized country in

986 IMPROVEMENT ERA Oct.. 1929 the world, where she studied the dances of the folk. She came to realize that every nation has an inborn desire to dance and dance gracefully and rhythmically. She saw that no malice or anger could exist in the hearts of those who would enter earnestly into the dances of their nation. Each time on coming back to America she was impressed with the tense feeling in the communities, because, as she said, "American ruralists have forgotten how to play." Her work during the six weeks which she spent in Utah might be termed "The breath which brought about the blossoming of civic pride and sociability" in the communities in which she intro- duced her dances. Because of her visit, one community was completely revolution- ized in respect to its community socials. When Miss Hinman first went there, the public hall was poorly kept. The floors were not swept; the walls were marred; the inhabitants did not show the greatest pride in their dress nor their manners, and many did not participate in the community activities. The old order has changed, fast yielding place to new. The socials start on time; literally every- body turns out; family feuds have been forgotten; the hatchet has been buried, and the feudists have joined hands and now "trip the light fantastic" to the strains of the home orchestra. With the dawning of the new civic pride the inhabitants began to cast their eyes upon the unsightly social quarters and immediately demanded a renovation, with the result that the present building was cleaned, and the people have a promise of an addition to be built to accommo- date the large crowd that comes every two weeks to join in the festivities. Folk dancing wrought the change. This is only one incident that may be cited as an example of what has been accomplished in interesting the rural people in the plain and simple folk dancing. Wherever Miss Hinman has taught, prejudices have been broken down; cliques have disbanded; young and old alike have been permitted to meet to enjoy a common in- terest. Her wonderful personality has acted as a stimulus to pursue happiness through harmless play. The citizens in West Jordan, Syracuse, Heber, Millville, Mantua, Lakeshore, Willard, Erda, Huntsville, Hoytsville, Grants- ville and other communities in Utah will long remember the charm- ing lady who opened the door to genuine pleasure through arousing their interest in dancing the graceful steps from many lands. Miss Hinman will always hold a high regard for the Mutual Improvement Associations for their assistance in her work and for the program which was so worthily carried out in the State.